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Kingston Properties Reporting Improved Financial Performance From Rebalanced Property Portfolio With Higher Net Operating Margins

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Having rebalanced their property portfolio to underweight US properties and added one more property in Jamaica, Kevin Richards, Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Properties, is reporting that their financial performance has improved with higher net operating margins through higher rental income and a reduction in expenses.

The results were shown in the first half of their 2019 financial year.

The impact of the volatility of the Jamaican dollar vis-à-vis the United States dollar however resulted in lower year on year net profit after taxes or NPAT, due to unrealized foreign exchange losses incurred on net assets in 2019 compared to gains in the prior year.

Kingston Properties also posted a 6.0% increase in rental income for the first half of 2019 to JA$112.9 million compared to JA$106.5 million for the same period in 2018, with Net Operating Income or NOI for 2019 increasing by 23.3%, moving from JA$38.0 million in 2018 to JA$46.9 million in 2019.

This Richards’ reports were primarily due to the addition of the New Kingston Grenada Crescent asset in the final quarter of 2018.

Group operating expenses, which include direct property expenses and administrative expenses, increased from $32.7 million for Q2 2018 to $34.7 million for Q2 2019, an increase of 6.2%.

However, operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2019 declined by 3.6% to $66.1million from $68.5 million the same prior year period.

Operating expenses for the six months of 2019 reflect lower HOA fees and property taxes, two of their largest expense items.

The Group’s Earnings Before Interest and Taxes or EBIT, increased by 155% in 2019, to $61.4 million compared to $24.1 million for 2018, primarily due to a net fair value gain on investment property of $23.8 million, after recording a loss on disposal of investment properties following the sale of two condo units in Florida, as well as, an impairment loss of $4.2 million due to the Group’s adoption of IFRS 9.

Funds from Operations (FFO) for the first half of 2019 amounted to $28.0 million compared to $18.6 million in 2018, representing a year on year improvement of 50.6% and highlights the Group’s intention to consistently generate strong net cash flows from its operations.

Net Profit for 2019 amounted to $28.6 million compared to $63.5 million for 2018, primarily due to a combination of nearly $31 million of unrealized foreign exchange gains plus another $31 million of tax credits in 2018; compared to $6 million in unrealized foreign exchange losses and a $1.8 million tax charge in 2019.

Total comprehensive income amounted to $47.6 million and $53.5 million for the first and second quarters of 2019 respectively, compared with $34.1 million and $72.2 million for the same periods reported in 2018.

Investment Properties totaled $2.7B as at June 30, 2019 versus $2.5B as at June 30, 2018, an increase of 7.3%.

The net increase results from the addition to the portfolio of the Grenada Crescent building in November 2018 offset by the disposal of nine (9) condos in
Florida over the last year and augmented by the fair value improvements on some of their properties.

Total assets stood at $2.9B as at June 30, 2019, an increase of 7.6% over the $2.7B balance as at June 30, 2018.

The Group continues to generate higher cash balances in 2019 compared with 2018 largely from the proceeds of asset sales and increased NOI over the period and will be used in the acquisition of new properties, he reports.

Total loans payable was $994.4 million at June 30, 2019 compared with $797.4 million at June 30, 2018 representing a 24.7% year on year increase.

The increased loan balance, which is primarily collateralized bank financing, was deployed to expand operating asset base. The loans are all in US dollars from financial institutions in the US, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The weighted average cost of borrowing as at June 2019 was 4.99%.

As a consequence of the disposal of and the fair value loss on some of their US properties, the Group’s deferred tax liabilities declined by $16.5 million during the first half of 2019 when compared with the figure as at June 30, 2018.

Total Equity increased in the 12 months to June 30, 2019 from $1,789 million to $1,808 million and book value per share increased marginally from $5.56 to $5.62.

Management he says continues to monitor developments in the economies in which they own properties and remain bullish on the Jamaican and especially the Caymanian economies.

This as their strategy remains focused on prudently funding the acquisition of properties with strong fundamentals and attractive cash yields.

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Prestige Holdings Enjoyed A Strong Performance For First Quarter Of Fiscal 2024.

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Christian E. Mouttet Chairman for Prestige Holdings has released the following Consolidated Unaudited Results for the Three Months Ended 29 February 2024

I am pleased to report that Prestige Holdings enjoyed a strong performance for the First Quarter of fiscal 2024. Group sales increased by 10% to $341 million from $309 million in the prior year, which resulted in a Profit Before Tax of $15.3 million compared to a profit of $11.6 million for the same period in 2023, a 32% increase. Profit After Tax, attributable to shareholders, increased by 25% from $7.8 million to $9.8 million. Cash flow from operations was $26.9 million and we ended the quarter with $100 million in cash having reduced total borrowings by $5.8 million. During the period we remodelled 2 restaurants and ended the period with 134 restaurants.

All brands posted solid performances during the quarter, with our Subway and Pizza Hut results driven by improved operations, efficiencies and strong demand for our innovative menu items and value offerings. Top line sales were impacted by the opening of five new Starbucks restaurants at Brentwood, Aranguez, O’Meara, St. Augustine and Amazonia Mall, Guyana, when compared to the First Quarter of 2023.

I am extremely pleased to report that KFC recently achieved a significant milestone of serving 150,000 Harvest Meals. The Harvest Meal Programme, which has been active for two years, is designed to provide unsold KFC food to participating NGOs in Trinidad and Tobago. This unsold food is carefully packaged and transported, following accepted global food safety protocols, and is then repurposed into delicious meals and served to the less fortunate. We are very happy to have the opportunity to positively impact the communities in which we operate by partnering with NGOs to provide meals to those in need.

As mentioned in my previous report, significant investment is planned in this financial year for new store development, including Guyana, as well as the remodelling of existing assets in Trinidad and Tobago. We expect these developments, as well as our continued brand initiatives, to continue to deliver positive results.
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GraceKennedy’s Strategic Spur Tree Spices Acquisition: Positioning For Growth

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GraceKennedy Limited’s recent acquisition of an increased stake in Spur Tree Spices (Jamaica) Limited has positioned it as the second-largest shareholder in the company. With an estimated 338,410,375 shares now under its belt, based on Spur Tree’s issued share count of 1,676,959,244 ordinary shares, GraceKennedy solidifies its influence in Jamaica’s culinary landscape.

Continued Expansion through M&A

This transaction marks the latest in GraceKennedy’s series of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activities, reflecting the company’s aggressive growth strategy. Following its acquisitions of Scotia Insurance Caribbean Limited and Unibev Limited in 2023, as well as doubling its interest in Catherine’s Peak Bottling Company Limited to 70% in February 2023, GraceKennedy demonstrates its commitment to diversification and market expansion.

Spur Tree’s Strategic Evolution

Meanwhile, Spur Tree Spices is undergoing a strategic transformation, expanding beyond spices and seasonings to become a full-fledged food brand. With plans to launch more than two dozen new products on May 1 and a brand refresh to reflect its new focus, Spur Tree is poised for a significant market repositioning.

Diversification and Innovation

In the upcoming quarter, Spur Tree Spices is set to unveil an array of innovative products, including their much-anticipated line of dried spices. This strategic move represents the company’s foray into new categories and a substantial expansion of its product offerings. By diversifying its portfolio, Spur Tree aims to capture a broader consumer base and solidify its position as a leading player in the culinary industry.

Implications of the Acquisition

GraceKennedy’s increased stake in Spur Tree Spices not only strengthens its position in the spice market but also opens doors for collaboration and synergies between the two entities. As GraceKennedy continues to expand its presence through strategic acquisitions, it can leverage Spur Tree’s innovative product line-up to bolster its offerings and tap into new market segments.

GraceKennedy Limited’s acquisition of a significant stake in Spur Tree Spices marks a strategic milestone for both companies. With GraceKennedy’s growing influence and Spur Tree’s strategic evolution, the stage is set for a dynamic partnership that promises innovation, growth, and market leadership. As they navigate the evolving landscape of Jamaica’s culinary industry, GraceKennedy and Spur Tree Spices are poised to redefine the future of food, one spice at a time.

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ANSA McAL Group Announces Formation Of Joint Venture Company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, With Globus Spirits Limited In India.

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A. Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies has announced the formation of the joint venture company, Globus ANSA Private Limited, with Globus Spirits Limited in India.

In a release posted on the Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange ANSA McAL confirmed that with effect from 4th April 2024, ANSA McAL Limited (“ANSA McAL”) entered into a joint venture agreement with Globus Spirits Limited (“GSL”) to establish Globus ANSA Private Limited (“GAPL”).

Each party will hold fifty percent (50%) of the issued and allotted ordinary share capital of GAPL.

“This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘

“Globus ANSA Private Limited will specialise in manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages across the Indian subcontinent, leveraging the strength of both ANSA McAL and Globus Spirits Limited,” said Mr. Shekhar Swarup, Managing Director for Globus Spirits Limited. “This collaboration signifies a new era in the Indian alcoholic beverages industry, driving innovation and growth, ‘he stated

 

 

 

Globus Spirits Ltd is one of the leading players in the Alcohol industry in North India distributing brands in the Consumer Segment including:
• GR8 Times.
• Rajputana.
• Globus Spirits Dry Gin.
• White. Lace.
• Governors’ Reserve Red.
• Governors’ Reserve Blue.
• Oakton.
• Laffaire. Napoleon.

Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate ANSA McAL Group has over 142 years of rich history representing many world-renowned brands, including some of their own home-grown successes. The partnership marks a significant milestone in ANSA McAL Group’s journey, merging cultures and expertise to revolutionise the beer industry in India, with their icon Carib brand and leading the charge.

Norman Sabga Executive Chairman of the ANSA McAL Group of Companies, highlighted the immense opportunities in India and their commitment to delivering unparalleled value through this partnership.

“We are confident that our collaboration will allow us to seize the growing demand for high quality beverages by captivating palates with our distinctive products” he said

ANSA McAL is now poised to be an equal Shareholder of GAPL, an Indian company which
would produce, market, sell, distribute and retail beer and other beverages.

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Jamaica Broilers Group Reporting Strong Top and Bottom Line Performance for January 2024 Quarter

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Christopher E. Levy Group President & CEO of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited now release the following unaudited financial results for the quarter ended January 27, 2024, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

The Group produced a net profit attributable to shareholders of $1.3 billion, for the quarter ended January 27, 2024. The operations of the Group continue to be strong, and our gross margins are consistent with expectations.

Quarterly Group revenues amounted to $23.6 billion, a 4% increase above the $22.7 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter.

Our gross profit for the quarter was $5.9 billion, a 7% increase above the $5.5 billion achieved in the corresponding quarter in the prior year.

Jamaica Operations reported a segment result of $5.9 billion which was $448 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. Total revenue for our Jamaica Operations showed an increase of 2% over the prior year nine-month period. This increase was primarily driven by the growth in the sale and export of poultry and implementation of cost containment efforts.

Our US Operations reported a segment result of $3 billion which was $226 million or 8% above last year’s segment result. This increase was driven by increased volumes of poultry meat and eggs, as well as the implementation of cost management initiatives.
Total revenue for the US Operations increased by 3% over the prior year nine-month period.

We have begun to realise additional volumes through the US operations, which has resulted in increased financing requirements primarily around working capital.

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Main Event Reporting Net Profit Of JA$100M For Quarter Ended January 2024

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Solomon Sharpe Chief Executive Officer of Main Event Entertainment Group Limited has released the following unaudited financial statements for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 (Q1).

The company continues to have solid results in an increasingly competitive and largely difficult environment. The company’s performance was anchored by diversifying our client base through strategic targeting and efficient management of our operations.

The company reported net profit of $100.254M for the quarter ended January 31, 2024, representing a decline of 15% or $17.695M relative to the corresponding period of 2023. Consequently, earnings per share decreased by 15% to $0.33 per share.

Total revenues for the quarter ended January 31, 2024 declined by $59.235M to $567.752M, reflecting a decrease of 9% over the corresponding period. This was mainly due to a one-off event for one of our major clients which is not likely to reoccur in subsequent periods.

The company was strategic in its efforts to protect the margins and the gross profit for the quarter was $315.822M compared to the $312.611M earned in 2023. This demonstrates the company’s ability to be alert and responsive to market conditions. Gross margins improved to 56%, up from 50% in the corresponding period.

The company continues to generate revenues from activities requiring reduced external support.

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